Under Sean Dyche, who guided Watford to 11th last season – their highest position for four years – they were direct, organised and competitive.

Zola, who was installed in July by new Watford owners the Italian Pozzo family, wants a more aesthetically pleasing manner about them.

And he has been backed to bring in a whole host of unknown foreign players to Vicarage Road, most of them tied to the new hierarchy.

Midfielder Almen Abdi and forwards Matej Vydra and Steve Leo Beleck all came from Udinese on frees, defender Daniel Pudil and striker Ikechi Anya both came from Granada, of Spain, on season long loans.

And yesterday a ninth new boy came in - former Italy international defender Marco Cassetti, for the season - again from Udinese.

The Pozzo family own both Udinese and Granada.

Watford, who also signed Manuel Almunia and Fitz Hall, still have Martin Taylor on the books. He agreed a new one year deal in the summer.

Last season Dyche’s squad was made up of British or Irish players, plus Morgaro Gomis’ former Dundee United team mate Prince Bauben.

So it is a completely different approach and ethos at Watford. On Tuesday they lost at home to Ipswich Town, to a 90th minute goal.

Zola said afterwards: “One bad result isn’t going to kill my enthusiasm or my desire to play football in a certain way.”